Resources for Journalists

'Horrific' RSV crisis could be the first of further outbreaks

Publicly released: Fri 13 Aug 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

Experts warn this winter’s RSV outbreak may be just the first respiratory crisis sparked by altered links between pathogens and people caused by COVID-19. ... They say children urgently need to be Read more about 'Horrific' RSV crisis could be the first of further outbreaks

Aussies back science as a critical part of society

Publicly released: Thu 12 Aug 2021 at 1430 AEST, 1630 NZST

The key findings from a major new study to launch National Science Week reflect the pivotal role science has played to help Australia to tackle COVID-19. ... And amid daily reminders of the vast value of Read more about Aussies back science as a critical part of society

COVID-19 vaccine trials progress after safety study

Publicly released: Thu 12 Aug 2021 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Vaccine

A South Australian-developed SARS-CoV-19 vaccine is preparing to progress to final stages of human clinical trials after early animal testing confirmed its safety and effectiveness in preventing COVID Read more about COVID-19 vaccine trials progress after safety study

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial shows it is safe and effective in teens

Publicly released: Thu 12 Aug 2021 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine appears safe in adolescents with only mild side effects reported, according to a phase 2/3  trial of over 3000 teens aged 12 to 17. ... The study found the immune response in Read more about Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial shows it is safe and effective in teens

Antibodies present in breastmilk after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination

Publicly released: Thu 12 Aug 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Breast milk from women vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID vaccine contains specific antibodies against the virus, however it is not yet known if this would help keep babies healthy or give ... blood. The Read more about Antibodies present in breastmilk after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination

Breathe easy: improving inhaler effectiveness

Publicly released: Wed 11 Aug 2021 at 1010 AEST, 1210 NZST

Physics of Fluids

Patients using dry powder inhalers to deliver medicine to their lungs need to breathe in at a “goldilocks” rate that is not too fast or too slow, and the drug particles ... They also hold potential to Read more about Breathe easy: improving inhaler effectiveness

Bank cards show how the other half lives in lockdown

Publicly released: Wed 11 Aug 2021 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Royal Society Open Science

People in lower income neighbourhoods continued to move around more than their wealthier counterparts during lockdown, providing more opportunities for the spread of COVID-19. ... We then analyze the Read more about Bank cards show how the other half lives in lockdown

Patients who isolate before surgery more likely to develop lung problems

Publicly released: Tue 10 Aug 2021 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

Anaesthesia

7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence Read more about Patients who isolate before surgery more likely to develop lung problems

Teen sleep can predict COVID worry levels

Publicly released: Tue 10 Aug 2021 at 1035 AEST, 1235 NZST

ScienceDirect

Teenagers who took longer to fall asleep before the COVID-19 pandemic could be more likely to report higher levels of pandemic-related worry now, a study from USC Australia’s ... We found that Read more about Teen sleep can predict COVID worry levels

COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths peaked just before vaccine rollout

Publicly released: Tue 10 Aug 2021 at 1032 AEST, 1232 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

US researchers say that the rates of people with COVID-19 who were admitted to a hospital, put in the ICU, and died while receiving care, peaked in December of 2020 ... These findings suggest that Read more about COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths peaked just before vaccine rollout

COVID lockdown easing best predicted by air pollutant satellite observations

Publicly released: Tue 10 Aug 2021 at 0835 AEST, 1035 NZST

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

We found that reduced economic and social activity, inferred from the reduction of nitrogen dioxide, is a driver of COVID-19 case deceleration in most of the 211 territories we studied. ... Professor Read more about COVID lockdown easing best predicted by air pollutant satellite observations

Global eradication of COVID-19 probably feasible

Publicly released: Tue 10 Aug 2021 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

BMJ Global Health

Researchers from New Zealand have crunched the numbers, and suggest that we are in a better place to eradicate COVID-19 than we were for polio, although considerably less so than ... The World Health Read more about Global eradication of COVID-19 probably feasible

‘Dry eye’ increasing from mask use: Free resource to help

Publicly released: Tue 10 Aug 2021 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

gov)6. Computer Vision Syndrome During SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in University Students: A Comparison Between Online Courses and Classroom Lectures (nih. ... gov)7. Prevalence and risk factor assessment of Read more about ‘Dry eye’ increasing from mask use: Free resource to help

Even a single time vaping could impact your health

Publicly released: Tue 10 Aug 2021 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Previous research shows both tobacco and e-cigarettes increase your levels of cellular oxidative stress (COS), which can assist in the development of many diseases. ... Researchers tested the level of Read more about Even a single time vaping could impact your health

NEWS BRIEFING and EXPERT REACTION: IPCC landmark climate science report - Aussie authors speak

Publicly released: Mon 9 Aug 2021 at 1800 AEST, 2000 NZST

The remaining reports on impacts and adaptation (Working group 2), and mitigation (Working group 3), along with a synthesis report will be released in 2022. ... Speakers:Dr Blair Trewin is a Lead Author Read more about NEWS BRIEFING and EXPERT REACTION: IPCC landmark climate science report - Aussie authors speak

EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia

Publicly released: Mon 9 Aug 2021 at 1738 AEST, 1938 NZST

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has just announced that Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine has been given provisional approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. ... The TGA is also evaluating its use in Read more about EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia

Māori and Pasifika aren’t more reluctant to get a Covid jab, study finds

Publicly released: Mon 9 Aug 2021 at 1421 AEST, 1621 NZST

The Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific

In a first-of-its-kind online survey from March 2021, being Māori or Pacific wasn’t independently linked with feeling hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine. ... Young Kiwis and those with lower education Read more about Māori and Pasifika aren’t more reluctant to get a Covid jab, study finds

The lasting impact of COVID-19 infection on immune system

Publicly released: Mon 9 Aug 2021 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

medXriv

virus that causes COVID-19. ... The study has also added further evidence that those who’ve had COVID-19 become immune to the virus. Read more about The lasting impact of COVID-19 infection on immune system

NZ lockdown puts heart failure theory to the test

Publicly released: Mon 9 Aug 2021 at 0300 AEST, 0500 NZST

Respirology

winter. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in New Zealand from March 2020 led to marked reductions in all circulating respiratory viruses – including those that were already present in NZ at the Read more about NZ lockdown puts heart failure theory to the test

Smoke from wood heaters could be contributing to excess deaths

Publicly released: Mon 9 Aug 2021 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

MJA

Exposure to air pollution could also affect the transmission and severity of COVID-19, the team added, saying policies are needed to reduce the pollution of wood heaters, including education Read more about Smoke from wood heaters could be contributing to excess deaths